TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS, J&K, JAMMU/SRINAGAR

1. From 19-11-2023, 1700 hrs. to 20-11-2023, 1700 hrs., Jammu-Srinagar NHW remained blocked for 05 hrs. 25 mins due to damaged road at Kishtwari Pather, Banihal. Slow movement was observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 03 HMVs and poor surface condition of road at Dalwas and single lane traffic at Cafeteria-Mehad, Magerkote, Nachlana between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.

2. Restoration work at Kishtwari Pather has not been completed yet. Traffic is being managed in a regulated manner. People are advised to follow lane driving to avoid congestion.

3. Passengers/LMVS operators are advised to prefer journey on Jammu- Srinagar NHW during day time. Please avoid journey during night hours as movement of nomads from Kashmir valley towards Jammu may cause inconvenience to the commuters.

4. HMVs Operators/Owners are requested to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

5. HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.

TRAFFIC PLAN & ADVISORY FOR 21-11-2023:-

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVS Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs/Load Carriers shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline.

SFS Convoy Movement:-

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, Security Forces vehicles shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.

SSG ROAD

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement on Srinagar- Sonamarg-Gumari road shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice-versa. LMVS followed by HMVS shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 0730 hrs. to 1100 hrs. Similarly, LMVs followed by HMVS shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 1300 hrs to 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings.

SFS Convoy, plying from Srinagar to Kargil, shall leave Srinagar at 0800 hrs. SFS

Convoy plying from Drass to Srinagar shall plan their movement in such a manner

so that Civil Traffic doesn’t get disturbed.

Mughal Road:-

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, vehicular movement on Mughal

road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa.

These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffiliaz) and Herpora

(Shopian) between 0600 hrs. to 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of

timings

ADVISORY:-

People are advised to undertake journey on NH-44 only after confirming status of

the road from Traffic control units as under:-

Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103)

Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103)

Ramban (9419993745)

Udhampur (8491928625)

PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) for status of Sinthan Road.

KU shunts out Director, faculty at DDU Kausal Kendra after B.Voc course fiasco

Shifts 2 programmes to MERC, IOT Zakura as degrees overrun deadlines

Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): After facing major embarrassment amid allegations of large-scale academic and financial irregularities, the Kashmir University (KU) Vice Chancellor has sacked Director and contractual faculty of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Kaushal Kendra after two of its B.Voc courses overran deadlines by a huge margin, leaving the students in a state of shock and dismay.

According to official documents in possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Director of DDU Kaushal Kendra, Dr Ghulam Hassan Mir along with three contractual staff members were relieved “with immediate effect” owing to closure of the project, which was launched by KU in 2019 with much fanfare only to be left embarrassed three years later.

Notably, the B.Voc course in Automotive Technology and B.Voc course in Electronic Media overran completion deadlines, with students of one batch left with incomplete syllabus and without examinations for more than a year.

Surprisingly, while the Central project, worth Rs 3 crore, was closed almost a year ago, it is only this month that the KU acted to shunt out the contractual faculty and Director after academic and financial irregularities in the programme implementation surfaced in the media.

“Now that DDU Kaushal Kendra failed to complete the courses, the remaining part of the two courses has now been handed over to Media Education Research Centre in case of Electronic Media, and to Institute of Technology Zakura Campus in case of Automotive Technology,” according to the available documents.

According to many students pursuing these courses, the Directorate of Kaushal Kendra fared poorly from day one on the implementation front.

From engaging local roadside mechanics for otherwise professional training in automotive technology to delayed classes in Electronic Media, complaints continued to pour in with KU authorities looking the other way, the students said.

“These courses were supposed to complete in 2022 with the whole project coming to an end, but one full batch is yet to complete the syllabus while another is yet to appear in final examinations,” the students said, regretting having joined the courses which “failed to yield the desired outcomes”.

With KU now belatedly acting against Director and Contractual faculty, who overran contract period and thus drew salary and emoluments in excess, cry for a formal probe into the DDU Kaushal Kendra functioning by state investigating agencies has gained steam.

“Removing the director is not enough. We want a full probe into financial and academic irregularities in implementation of the Central scheme which has failed to prove beneficial to the students,” the aggrieved students demand, seeking personal intervention of LG and VC.

“There have been serious deviations in recruitments made in DDU Kaushal Kendra which need to be probed. Furthermore, some staff have still been retained despite the project’s closure which is a scam,” the insiders said.

Many students are also dismayed at shifting courses to MERC and IOT Zakuraz, saying these departments have their own courses to handle and “will pay least attention to our courses”.

“We have been betrayed in a big way despite paying huge money. This delayed degrees and delayed examinations are true for the University which is grappling with decline in student strength in almost all courses now,” the aggrieved students rued—(KNO)

Centre orders premature repatriation of Atul Dullo to J&K on MHA request, Likely to be new CS

Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): In a significant development, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) Monday ordered premature repatriation of Atul Dulloo, an IAS officer of 1989 batch, on the request of the Union Home Ministry.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved premature repatriation of Atul Dulloo, an IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, to his parent cadre on the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Dulloo was presently posted as Secretary, Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

His premature repatriation to J&K is seen as a precursor to his appointment as Chief Secretary of the UT.

The incumbent Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta is attaining superannuation later this month—(KNO)

Jammu-Srinagar Rail likely to start in next year

We are hopeful to run it in next 4 to 5 months: Railway officials

Ishtiyaq Ahmad

Srinagar, Nov 20: The Jammu-Srinagar rail link is expected to become operational from early next year, marking a significant milestone in the transportation infrastructure of the region.

This railway project, aimed at enhancing connectivity and accessibility between Jammu and Srinagar, is poised to bring about transformative changes in the transportation landscape.

A high-ranking official from the Railways, speaking on the progress, expressed satisfaction, stating, “The USBRL project is a testament to the engineering prowess and determination of the team involved. We have overcome numerous challenges, including adverse weather conditions and difficult terrains, to bring this dream to fruition. The completion of this project will be a game-changer for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We are hopeful that in the next four to five months, the rail will reach Srinagar from Jammu,” the official told KNS, insisting not to be named.

The railway line, one of the most challenging and ambitious railway projects in the country, traverses through the picturesque terrains of the Jammu and Kashmir mountain range.

The route includes numerous tunnels, bridges, and challenging topography, making it an engineering marvel.

Once operational, the railway link is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, offering a more convenient and efficient mode of transportation for commuters and cargo alike.

The Jammu-Srinagar rail link is also poised to have far-reaching implications for tourism in the region, making it more accessible for both domestic and international travelers.

The scenic route is expected to attract tourists who wish to experience the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayan region while enjoying the comfort and convenience of rail travel.

Speaking about the development, one of the local BJP leaders expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “This railway link has been a long-awaited dream for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Its operationalization will not only make our journeys more comfortable but will also open up new avenues for trade and tourism.”

Authorities involved in the project have assured that the necessary infrastructure and safety measures are being put in place to ensure a smooth and secure operation of the railway link.

Encompassing a sprawling 345-mile stretch, the USBRL project is intricately designed to connect the scenic towns of Udhampur, Srinagar, and Baramulla, navigating through formidable terrains and challenging geographic obstacles.

Despite these obstacles, the unwavering dedication of the project team has propelled construction forward, with recent developments indicating that the final stages are well underway.

Anticipation is palpable among the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the inauguration of the USBRL project, slated to be a momentous occasion for the region.

It is noteworthy that regular train services already operate between Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in the Jammu region and Baramulla-Banihal in Kashmir.

The Railway ministry has previously affirmed that a Vande Bharat Metro train will ply between Jammu and Srinagar once the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) becomes fully operational.

Two remarkable bridges on the section contribute to the project’s engineering marvels. The Chenab Railway Bridge, one of the highest globally, defies gravity as it stands tall over the Chenab River, presenting a breathtaking spectacle against the backdrop of the Pir Panjal mountain range.

While not as towering as the Chenab Railway Bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge holds its own significance. Spanning the Anji Khad River, this bridge showcases intricate design and meticulous planning, representing a critical link in the overall connectivity of the USBRL project.–(KNS)